Proper Attic Ventilation

The first step is to check out this 60 second video and learn about the 300 1 rule the difference between intake and exhaust ventilation and why proper ventilation is so important to get right to help calculate your attic ventilation needs visit gaf ventilation calculator.

Proper attic ventilation.

In the summer good attic ventilation reduces heat buildup. For instance attic ventilation is used widely in cold climates to evacuate the warm moist air that escapes from the living space below. To lower attic temperatures and to remove excess moisture. Ensuring your home has the proper attic ventilation according to these guidelines however can save yourself the stress and hassle of an emergency roof repair.

That keeps your attic dry and reduces ice dams. In the winter warm moist air seeps into the attic from the living space below. How attic ventilation works. Begin by making sure your existing system works photos 1 and 3 plugging major air leaks into the attic photo 2 and correcting any other of the common causes of poor attic venting.

If this air lingers it can condense on the underside of the roof sheathing and rot it. The insulation will resist heat transfer into. Federal housing authority recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation evenly split between intake and exhaust for every 300 square feet of attic floor space. Attic ventilation serves two main functions.

If you have either ice dams or moisture buildup improve your attic ventilation. As a certified licensed home inspector it is not correct to say too much ventilation is bad for an attic unless rain moisture is getting in. A healthy airflow also helps with ice dams which begin to form when warm air in the attic melts the snow from beneath. Venting a homes attic is a very important best building practices will say 50 at the ridge and 50 at the soffits unobstructed.

In the summer natural air flow in a well vented attic moves super heated air out of the attic protecting roof shingles and removing moisture. Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below. Ventilation can be accomplished using various products and techniques. If those steps don t solve the problem add more soffit vents following the.

Good ventilation allows the heat and moisture to escape. Proper attic ventilation consists of a balance between air intake at your eaves soffits or fascias and air exhaust at or near your roof ridge. Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca. Before we explore how to ventilate an attic space it is prudent to understand how much ventilation is needed.

Lowering the temperature in the attic can help reduce air conditioning energy costs and roof deck temperature optimize the service life of a roof covering and minimize ice damming.